Howard Dean on Abortion

Former VT Governor; Former Democratic Candidate for President

Individual freedom should apply to abortion decision

I believe that the issue of abortion is a medical rather than a political decision. I don't see how a government regulation that tells doctors how to practice medicine can be supported.
Republicans claim that they are the party of individual freedom, but they are the first to tell other people how to live their lives.

Source: Winning Back America, by Howard Dean, p.142-3
Dec 3, 2003

Government should not make personal medical decisions

Q: Where do you stand on the partial birth abortion ban?

A: In the four years between 1996 & 2000 there were no late term abortions performed in my state. Late term abortions are very rare and should never be used except to save the life or health of
the mother. I just don't think the government ought to be making personal medical decisions for Americans. No respectable physician would ever do a late term abortion except for the most serious reasons. That is why I did not support the President's bill

Source: Concord Monitor / WashingtonPost.com on-line Q&A
Nov 6, 2003

Rollback restrictions on stem cell research

Q: Will you rollback Bush's restrictions on stem cell research?

A: Yes. The president's anti-science bias should not be permitted to deprive Americans with Parkinson's, diabetes, and other treatable diseases of the help that they need.

Source: Concord Monitor / WashingtonPost.com on-line Q&A
Nov 6, 2003

Abortion is none of the government's business

As a physician, I do not like the idea that Congress or the President think they should practice medicine.
Abortion is a deeply personal decision which ought to be made between the patient, the family and physician. It's none of the government's business.

Partial birth abortion ok to protect the mother

The notion of "partial birth abortion" is nonsense. This is a rare procedure used only to save the life or health of the mother. We have had no third trimester abortions in Vermont in the past four years.

Favors abortion rights

He's already established his campaign persona: the straight-talking, green-leafy-veggies fiscal conservative who favors abortion rights and civil unions for gay couples but who also brags that he has an A rating from the National Rifle Association.